Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) remembers the 6 million Jewish and millions of other women, men and children who were victims of the Holocaust.

The organization will be commemorating the day at Toronto City Hall this evening one month after Toronto city council voted to pass a motion to officially proclaim January 27th as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.Community members – including politicians, police and educators – will be joining FSWC to pay tribute to Holocaust victims and stand together against antisemitism.

“The liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau signified the defeat of the Nazis and an end to the murders and many years of hate, torture and dehumanization Jewish people endured. Today, 75 years since this important moment in history, we remember the millions of victims whose lives were tragically taken because of hate,” said FSWC president and CEO Avi Benlolo. “Commemorating and educating about the Holocaust has become more important today than ever. We have witnessed a spike in violent antisemitic attacks, in some cases deadly such as in Pittsburgh and Jersey City, and antisemitism online, on campuses and in schools has become more prevalent. It appears many are forgetting the Holocaust and the lessons of the Holocaust. Commemorating the Holocaust gives people the opportunity to reflect on one of humanity’s worst moments in history, which stemmed from situations we are experiencing today, and understand what actions we can all take to ensure it is never repeated.” 

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